Strawberry Thyme Jam Wedding Favors
One of the things my mom and I have most looked forward to for wedding planning was to start making our favors. First up is strawberry thyme jam!
I heard the idea of homemade jam wedding favors a few years ago (even before T proposed). Even then I knew that it absolutely had to be a part of our wedding.
My mom has been canning and making jam for a long time. She’s famous in both of our families for her delicious, show-stopping concoctions. Her pomegranate jelly (with pomegranates from her tree no less) is in demand right now.
My guy’s grandpa asks when pomegranate season is every time we see him because he loves her jam so much! I do love that tart jelly. Last year she made a cherry jam, however, that I think might just bring the pomegranate reign to an end…
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Homemade Jam Wedding Favors
I’ve enjoyed my fair share of her jam and can tomatoes with my mom every year, but I recently realized that I’d never canned by myself.
Last week, I had one majorly stressful morning as I tried to make the jam and can it so the jars were shelf-stable. Making the jam was actually quite easy. Canning it was more work. With the right equipment it will be a whole lot easier, but good company and a second set of hands are what I really need.
Luckily, I’ll be canning the rest of the jam with my mom’s help and her canning pot this summer! (I’m sure my mom has stopped reading this post by now and is ordering a canning pot… Love her!)
Homemade Jam Wedding Favors
We’re whipping up three flavors of jam for our guests to choose from – strawberry thyme, cherry, and possibly peach. Since strawberry is one of my favorites, I decided to try a strawberry thyme recipe and it was a raging success.
I’ve already considered breaking into one of the jars of jam to enjoy with my peanut butter and atop my toast. So far, I’ve exercised self-control, but we still have two months to go…
These jars from The Container Store are the perfect size for canning and for our homemade jam wedding favors – not too big or too small. One jam recipe fills six jars exactly!
We’re doing simple but chic décor on the wedding favor table with these kraft paper labels and chalkboard signs. You can design the labels on Avery’s website with a huge assortment of fonts, colors, designs, and layouts – such a great feature for someone like me!
These chalkboard signs are cute and easy to help our guests decide what flavor jam they want to take home. As two people who love food so much, giving our loved ones a tasty way to remember our wedding seems perfect.
WHAT YOU NEED:
8.5oz Quattro Stagioni Canning Jars
Printable Labels
Chalkboard Standing Signs
Chalkboard Pen (note writing tip size options)
Looking for ways to enjoy this tasty jam? Try it as a Greek yogurt topping and even as part of a rice cake topping setup!
STRAWBERRY THYME JAM
Ingredients
- 8 cups cut strawberries
- 2 tablespoons thyme leaves
- 1½ teaspoons lemon zest
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1.75 oz. fruit pectin
- 6½ cups sugar
Instructions
- Mash cut-up strawberries. Chunks of berries can remain if desired.
- Measure five cups mashed strawberries into a large pot. Add thyme leaves, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Add in pectin. Stir to combine again.
- Turn heat to medium-high and cook strawberry mixture, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil. Add in sugar. Bring strawberry mixture to intense boil, stirring frequently. No amount of stirring should be able to slow the boil. Boil mixture for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Using a soup spoon, carefully skim off the foam on top. Try not to get any jam while skimming. Pool foam on one side of the pot for easier removal. Foam is edible, just with a funny consistency.
- Fill jars with jam.
- Refrigerate if not canning.
Nutrition
Thank you to The Container Store for sponsoring this post.
